Sqeaky backend

[peegee]

First time I've posted, ever, so excuse any gaffs
Have owned SSC99058 since biuld, SVA'd March 2003. The car has F/I'd 1800 Zetec, Type 9, De-Dion rear. 14" minilites
I asked Pete. Powell once, not long after the car was first on the road, when would the rear suspension stop squeaking, he replied "when it gets some use" Almost 4 years on and it stil squeaks. I've had a couple of go's at stripping and lubing but still no joy. Anyone else out there have any experience of this? Is there a fix?

[stylussprinter]

First time I've posted, ever, so excuse any gaffs
Have owned SSC99058 since biuld, SVA'd March 2003. The car has F/I'd 1800 Zetec, Type 9, De-Dion rear. 14" minilites
I asked Pete. Powell once, not long after the car was first on the road, when would the rear suspension stop squeaking, he replied "when it gets some use" Almost 4 years on and it stil squeaks. I've had a couple of go's at stripping and lubing but still no joy. Anyone else out there have any experience of this? Is there a fix?

Did you build it If you did --- did you make sure that the poly's are narrower than the inner steel tube. It only needs to be a ml or so then tighten the bolts up hard. Bit of coppergrease is good too around the steel tube before putting it into the poly. Squeek can only come from either the poly being pinched at the sides or the bolts not really tight so that the suspension revolves around the bolt as opposed to the tube.

Rob.

[stylussprinter]

Whoops Tim's just reminded me that I should have said '' graphite '' grease and agrees about the cause.
Rob

[se7ensport]

I had the same problem, the real solution is to buy some shim washer in .5 mm thickness, they work a treat try http://www.ondrives.com/products.asp?recnumber=749 you need to know the inner & outer diameter of your existing crush tubes.

i'll dig out the figures tonight of the ones i used, I've got some spare which I'm happy to exchange for beer tokens. It cost me approx £20 to get a bag of 1mm and a bag of 0.5mm.

You'll need approx 20 of each, as you'll find that depending on the pivot you need somewhere between 0.5 and 1.5 to ensure a wiggle free set up that moves smoothly. The central pivot on the chassis for the de-dion is a pain in the A to get right. i had mine on and off 3 times with very limited socket movement


Alex

[stylussprinter]

I've never had any problem with mine since build to date and simply made sure that the tube is longer that the poly's plus use some Graphite grease. Don't forget to pinch the tube really tight when bolting up(or the bolt then becomes the pivot rather than the poly moving around the tube ) -- dead simple -- no problem with squeak

Rob.

[se7ensport]

That's the usual problem, the crush tubes just aren't long enough, especially on the de-dion setup, my polybushes were wider than the tube and this caused all the squeeking no matter how much grease or lube i used. The tube needs to be shimmed so that it is flush with the ends of the polybush, grease is still needed though to ensue a smooth and sqeek free ride.

Tim recommends replacing the tubes and bushes, but that is very pricy, shimming does sort the problem.

[stylussprinter]

That's the usual problem, the crush tubes just aren't long enough, especially on the de-dion setup, my polybushes were wider than the tube and this caused all the squeeking no matter how much grease or lube i used. The tube needs to be shimmed so that it is flush with the ends of the polybush, grease is still needed though to ensue a smooth and sqeek free ride.

Tim recommends replacing the tubes and bushes, but that is very pricy, shimming does sort the problem.

I think you might be missing my point As you say , your tubes were shorter than the poly's ---- SO , you cut back the poly just a 1ml from the end. Just stick it on the grindstone BINGO -- NO problem (the grease wasn't the major point , simply a help to allow the tube/poly easy movement

[peegee]

Thanks for all your replies with information to my query. Carried out a strip down of both front and rear suspension last weekend and set the bushes as advised, result: no more squeaks!

[stylussprinter]

Thanks for all your replies with information to my query. Carried out a strip down of both front and rear suspension last weekend and set the bushes as advised, result: no more squeaks!

BINGO I do love it when a plan comes together

Rob

[Werner Van Loock]

Nice one, I'll put this one in the "Build Tips" section of the home page.

My guess is that most people will run into this.

[stylussprinter]

Nice one, I'll put this one in the "Build Tips" section of the home page.

My guess is that most people will run into this.

Yes , it really is so simple to just trim the top hat section of the bush a touch. I gently held mine on the '' side '' of my grindstone but it could easily be filed off too.

Rob.